HEARTS goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald believes the supporters can continue to drive the team closer to survival after their backing lifted the players during last night's 1-1 draw with Partick Thistle.

A sizeable away support appeared to recognise their young team needed even more encouragement after riding their luck in a one-sided but goalless first hour at Firhill.

The fans noticeably raised the volume and Hearts began to push forward and create chances of their own.

And, although Thistle regained control and took the lead through Aaron Muirhead's 85th-minute penalty, the players retained belief as Jamie Walker fired home a brilliant equaliser to spark wild celebrations with two minutes left. The draw saw Hearts knock a fourth point off their 15-point deduction for going into administration and on last night's evidence, many other Scottish Premiership teams might be satisfied with a similar result at Firhill.

MacDonald told Hearts TV: "I thought we were pretty poor first half, Partick are a good team and they played really well.

"It was backs to the wall but the second half performance was a lot better and it probably thoroughly deserved a point.

"There was plenty of encouragement at half-time and a few words in one or two ears just to step up.

"It showed in the second half, the boys came out and played a lot better and looked a lot more threatening going forward.

"The fight was there the full game, the boys will always give 100 per cent, especially with the crowd.

"What can you say about the crowd? They were fantastic.

"I think we'll get a lot more points than we'll lose if the fans are like that every week."

MacDonald produced some excellent late saves before the goals, notably from James Craigen, John Baird and Steven Lawless.

"It's part of my job," he said. "I'm disappointed not to get a clean sheet but it's a point in the right direction, that's the main thing, to get as many points as we can.

"You've got to be happy with a point away from home, especially on the first-half performance."